SPYder Movie Review: A R Murugadoss-directed SPYder comes close to a 'perfect thriller'

Spyder is a classic tale of good versus evil that works on the strength of its dynamic hero and intimidating villain, says Sukanya Verma.

Cast: Mahesh Babu, S J Surya and Rakul Preet Singh
Director: A R Murugadoss
Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)

There is nothing like a perfect spy thriller. But SPYder comes close. It is svelte, swanky and slick in a way that Telugu cinema is lately learning to be. Most important of all, the leading man, none other than Mahesh Babu, arguably Andhra Pradesh's No. 1 star, plays it so cool, he is almost the antithesis of Prabhas' sweaty over-exertive performance in the Baahubaliseries. An intrinsic aptness is applied to this film about intelligence and espionage. Though there are wide passages of unbelievable visual spectacle and plot twists that coil and recoil through a maze of unrepentant incredulity, there is nonetheless at the core of SPYder a yarn that induces an adrenaline rush in the audience while it rushes to go where angels fear to tread.

Some passages in the screenplay are sheer ingenuity masquerading as masala fare. The post-intermission episode where Mahesh Babu playing a government surveillance agent, takes the help of television-addicted housewives to nab the terrorist, is a work of sheer genius. And the way the hero saves his mother and kid-brother from the sadistic villain has to be seen to be believed.

Innovative writing in Indian cinema is hard to come by. One that synthesises thrills with a certain sobriety so effectively is rare. Murugadoss' writing is always ahead of his (considerable) skills as a director. And that's a good thing. While he lets Mahesh Babu's star power do all the talking (even while the actor himself remains distractingly quiet through most of the mayhem), the director leaves nothing to chance.

There is no point of randomness in the plot. Every episode is written with a precise intent and pulverising purpose.

Consequently the storytelling let loose a cannon that blows the screen apart.

The plot's construct is controlled, measured and kinetic. The narrative takes time to build itself up into a frenzy of excitement. We are introduced to Mahesh Babu's Shiva almost as a boring whitecollar government officer determined to save distressed lives.

The crux and the crisis of the plot converge on Mahesh Babu and the antagonist played by S J Surya. One is understated almost to the point of showing no emotion. The other lets it all hang out. They make quite a pair, the yin and yang whose action speaks far louder than their words.

Oh yes, there is a delectable tongue-in-cheek homage to Murugadoss's Ghajini, which is shown being screened in a theatre while Mahesh Babu searches for a character who helps piece the villain's life together.




Excellent movie. Well made and different from regular mass masala movies. One should watch this movie without any expectations. It is a good movie and very decently made. There are very good technical values and good performances. Yes there are couple of unrealistic and unnecessary scenes but those happen in every movie. There is no smoking or drinking displayed anywhere in the movie. And just couple of big fight sequences which is so apt for the story. It is a decent movie that can be watched by the entire family.